USPA License Requirements: Complete A, B, C & D License Guide

Planning your next skydiving license? We're Christina and Juan Arango, USPA examiners with 20+ years of experience helping skydivers progress from A-License through advanced instructor ratings. This guide covers everything you need: jump requirements, skills, exams, and timelines for each USPA license level.

Table of Contents

USPA A-License Requirements

The A-License is where your independent skydiving journey begins. After completing your student progression (typically through AFF or IAD), the A-License certifies you're ready to jump without instructor supervision.

Minimum Requirements:

  • 25 freefall jumps
  • Complete all requirements on the USPA A-License Progression Card
  • Pass the written, oral, and practical A-License exams (administered by a USPA Instructor or higher)

What You Can Do with an A-License:

  • Jump without direct supervision
  • Participate in group jumps with other licensed skydivers
  • Jump at dropzones worldwide (most DZs accept USPA A-License holders)

Typical Timeline: Most skydivers earn their A-License within 3-6 months of starting training, though this varies significantly based on weather, budget, and how frequently you can jump.

Real Talk: The A-License represents basic competency—you can safely jump and land your parachute. But you're still building fundamental skills. Many skydivers stay at this level for 50-100 jumps before pursuing their B-License, using this time to solidify their freefall control and canopy skills.

Resources to Help You Earn Your A-License:

USPA B-License Requirements

The B-License is where you refine your abilities and prove you can handle more challenging aspects of the sport. This is often the most meaningful license for recreational skydivers—it demonstrates solid proficiency and unlocks night jumping privileges.

Minimum Requirements:

  • 50 jumps minimum (most skydivers have 75-100 by the time they qualify)
  • Hold or meet current requirements for USPA A-License
  • 30 minutes of controlled freefall time
  • 10 accuracy landings within 33 feet (10 meters) of target center
  • 10 formation jumps (formation skydiving OR freeflying), with at least 5 involving 3+ participants
  • Complete water landing training
  • Complete all requirements on the B-License Canopy Piloting Proficiency Card
  • Pass the written B-License Exam (administered by Instructor, S&TA, Examiner, Judge, or Board Member)

What You Can Do with a B-License:

  • All A-License privileges
  • Night jumps (with proper lighting and conditions)
  • Eligible for USPA Coach Rating after 100 jumps

Why the B-License Matters: The canopy proficiency requirements are where many skydivers struggle—and where the real learning happens. You're not just landing safely; you're demonstrating precision, pattern awareness, and the ability to manage your parachute in traffic. These skills are critical for safety as you progress into more advanced skydiving.

Resources to Help You:

USPA C-License Requirements

The C-License represents significant experience and opens the door to instructor ratings (except Tandem). If you're interested in teaching or participating in demonstration jumps, this is your gateway.

Minimum Requirements:

  • 200 jumps minimum
  • Hold or meet current requirements for USPA B-License
  • 60 minutes of controlled freefall time
  • 25 accuracy landings within 7 feet (2 meters) of target center
  • 50 formation jumps (formation skydiving OR freeflying), with at least 10 involving 4+ participants
  • Pass the written C-License Exam (administered by Instructor, S&TA, Examiner, Judge, or Board Member)

What You Can Do with a C-License:

  • All B-License privileges
  • Eligible for USPA Instructor ratings (AFF, Static Line/IAD, Coach Examiner—everything except Tandem)
  • Participate in demonstration jumps (with proper approval)
  • Ride as passenger during Tandem Instructor training and rating-renewal jumps

The C-License Jump: At 200 jumps, you're no longer a beginner. You've developed solid skills, consistent canopy control, and the judgment that comes from experience. This is typically where skydivers decide if they want to pursue coaching or instruction as the next step in their progression.

Ready to Start Teaching?

With your C-License, you're eligible for most USPA instructor ratings. Explore your options:

USPA D-License Requirements

The D-License is the pinnacle of USPA certification—it represents extensive experience and mastery across multiple disciplines. This is the license you need for Tandem Instructor ratings and what the FAA recognizes as a "Master Parachutist."

Minimum Requirements:

  • 500 jumps minimum
  • Hold or meet current requirements for USPA C-License
  • 3 hours (180 minutes) of controlled freefall time
  • 100 formation jumps, with at least 25 involving 8+ participants
  • Pass the written D-License Exam (administered by S&TA, Examiner, Judge Examiner, or Board Member)

Advanced Skills Requirement - Choose Any 2:

You must complete at least two of the following advanced skills. You can repeat the same skill twice if you prefer:

  • Night jump - Complete one jump after official sunset
  • 100 accuracy landings - Land within 7 feet (2 meters) of target center on 100 jumps
  • Canopy formation - Participate in a 3-stack or larger formation with full rotation
  • Intentional water jump - Execute a planned water landing

Example: You could do 2 night jumps, or 100 accuracy landings + 1 CRW jump, or any other combination.

What You Can Do with a D-License:

  • All C-License privileges
  • Eligible for ALL USPA Instructor ratings, including Tandem Instructor
  • FAA Master Parachutist equivalent (required for certain privileges under FAA regulations)

The D-License Journey: By 500 jumps, you've invested years in the sport and developed deep expertise. The advanced skills requirements ensure you've explored different aspects of skydiving beyond basic formation flying. Most D-License holders are involved in instruction, competition, or specialized disciplines within the sport.

What's Next After Your D-License?

The D-License opens the door to the highest levels of instruction:

How to Log Jumps for USPA Certification

Accurate logbook records are essential for license applications. USPA requires the following information for each jump (either paper or digital logbook):

Required Information:

  • Jump number
  • Date
  • Location (dropzone)
  • Exit altitude
  • Freefall length (time in seconds)
  • Type of jump (formation, freefly, solo, etc.)
  • Landing distance from target (when applicable)
  • Equipment used
  • Verifying signature with legible USPA number, license number, or pilot certificate number

Important Logging Rules:

  • For jump number requirements: Any licensed jumper who witnessed the skydive can sign your logbook
  • For specific skill requirements: An Instructor

For Every Skydiver

Skills That Apply at Every Level

The skydivers who progress fastest build habits between jumps. These resources help you train smarter — whether you're on jump 10 or jump 500.

Visualization for Skydiving

Mental rehearsal techniques used by competition teams to nail complex dives

Landing Pattern Guide

Stop guessing on your approach — land where you intend, every time

Gear Checklist

A pre-jump routine that catches the mistakes your brain wants to skip

Gear Guides

Deep dives into AADs, RSLs, wing loading, and equipment maintenance

Safety Resources

Water landings, spotting, and the emergencies you need to prepare for

Frequently Asked Questions

  • No. USPA requires sequential progression through A → B → C → D licenses. Each level builds on the previous one. However, you do not need to pay for all of your licenses. For example: you have a B license, but have met all of the requirements for the C and D licenses. You do not need to pay for a C-license, you can simply apply for your D-license.


  • Not technically—it’s up to individual DZs as to what their policies are, but most DZs require at minimum an A-License for unsupervised jumping, and international DZs almost universally require USPA licensing.

  • Cost varies significantly by location, as jump ticket prices range from $20-$40+ per jump at different dropzones. Budget for:

    • A-License: ~$3,000-$4,000 total (including student training)

    • B-License: Additional $500-$1,000 in jump tickets beyond A-License

    • C-License and beyond: Depends on how quickly you accumulate jumps

  • Your license becomes invalid until you renew your membership. You'll need current USPA membership to jump at most dropzones.

  • Highly individual. I've seen dedicated skydivers reach B-License in 6 months and others take 2-3 years. It depends on:

    • How frequently you can jump (weather, schedule, budget)

    • Your natural aptitude and learning curve

    • How focused you are on meeting requirements vs. just jumping for fun

  • Yes. USPA offers equivalency evaluations for international licenses. Contact a USPA Instructor Examiner or the USPA office for details.

    • Licenses (A/B/C/D) certify your personal jumping proficiency

    • Ratings (Coach, AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, etc.) certify you to teach or evaluate others

    You need specific licenses before you're eligible for ratings.

Ready for Your Next License?

Whether you're working toward your first A-License or building toward advanced instructor ratings, the path is clear: demonstrate proficiency, log your jumps accurately, and pass your exams.

The journey from student to instructor is one of the most rewarding progressions in skydiving. Let's get you there safely and confidently.

About USPA

The United States Parachute Association (USPA) is the national membership organization for skydivers and the official U.S. representative to the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). Recognized by the FAA, USPA's mission focuses on three core areas:

Promoting Safety: Comprehensive training programs, licensing standards, and instructor qualification ensure high safety standards across the sport.

Advocacy: USPA works to preserve skydiving's access to airports and the national airspace system.

Competition and Records: Supporting competitive skydiving and record-setting programs that push the boundaries of human flight.

For more information about USPA membership and programs, visit uspa.org.